Scaffold erecting equipment



R. E. COPELAND ETAL 3,504,461

April 7, 1970 SCAFFOLD ERECTING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 26, 1968 FlG 1 FlG 2 NE m I E M N 0% R A Y B R. E. COPELAND ETAL 3,504,461

SCAFFOLD ERECTING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlG 5 F 'IG 4 vllillllfll April 7, 1970 Filed Aug. 26, 1968 68 FIG. 7A

F IG 7C United States Fatent O 3,504,461 SCAFFOLD ERECTING EQUIPMENT Roy E. Copeland, Concord, Homer E. Holmes, Danville,

.and Merritt M. Mason, Walnut Creek, Califi, assignors to Gordon H. Ball, Inc., Danville, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Filed Aug. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 755,348 Int. Cl. E04g 21/00, 7/20 US. Cl. 52123 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In carrying out shoring and similar operations, it is desirable to employ scaffolds of the type which can be erected by coupling a plurality of frame sections. Each section may consist of vertical corner members (e.g., tubing) together with connecting brace members. Some of the connecting members may be arranged to provide crossbracing and others may extend at right angles to the corner members. The ends of the corner members are adapted to be coupled to the ends of an adjacent section, whereby several frame sections can be assembled upon each other to form a scaffold of the required height. The equipment previously available for carrying out such assembly operations has not been satisfactory, having reference to both their mechanical construction and mode of operation. Particularly, the equipment has not been readily adjustable to different projects, and its use has not made possible anticipated savings in labor and time. This applies both to equipment used for installing the sections upon each other, commencing with the bottom section, and also equipment for assembling from the bottom in which one section is elevated to permit a second section to be positioned and coupled to the lower end of the first section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to equipment for assembling the fram sections of metal scaffolding.

In general, it is an object of the invention to provide mobile equipment for assembling a scaffold by the method of elevating one section and then assembling a second section below the first.

Another object of the invention is to p ovide mobile equipment which can be readily positioned in operative relation with a scaffold fram section, and which can then be operated to engage the section and elevate it to facilitate the positioning of a second section below the first, after which the two sections are coupled together.

Another object of the invention is to provide equipment of the above character which is mobile in that it can be moved to various locations for assembly operations, and which can be used to transport a plurality of assembled sections to the position where it is to be used for shoring or other operations.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description .in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

3,5il4,46l Patented Apr. 7, 1970 The equipment is constructed in combination with a mobile machine having a structure which can be elevated or lowered. It includes a pair of spaced arms that are secured cantilever fashion to the structure. Each arm has at least two latches that are movable between sectionengaging and out-of-the-Way positions. The arms are adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a scaffold frame section. When it is desired to raise a section, the latches are moved to their section-engaging positions after which the structure and the arms are elevated to raise the section to a suflicient height for positioning a second section below the first. The arms on the first section are then lowered to couple the corner members of the two sections together. Preferably, the arms are adjustable to accommodate scaffold frame sections of different sizes. Also, in some instances it is desirable to provide template means upon which the parts of the frame sections can be as sembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a sid elevational view schematically illustrating mobile equipment equipped with the present invention for the assembly of scaffold units.

FIGURE 2 is a front view showing the present equipment together with a scaffold section disengaged with respect to the latch means.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the equipment shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a detail on an enlarged scale showing power means for operating the latch members.

FIGURE 5 is a detail, partly in section, showing standard means for coupling the frame sections together.

FIGURE 6 is a detail showing a portion of the template means for assembling the frame sections.

FIGURES 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are schematic side elevational views illustrating various phases of an operating cycle to assemble a plurality of scafford sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGURE 1 illustrates a mobile machine 10 of the fork lift type. Such machines are provided with a vertically extending structure 11 forming a guideway for a carriage, together with power means for elevating and lowering the same. In some instances, the structure 11 may be directly connected with the frame of the mobile machine and in other instances, as indicated in FIGURE 1, the structure 11 may be attached to linkage 12, actuated by power means such as the hydraulic ram 13. The parts that we have added to such a machine include the structure 14 (FIGURE 2), which may be made of structural steel members welded together in the form of a truss. As will be presently explained certain parts are mounted upon the structure 14 for the purpose of engaging the sections of a scaffold. The structure 14 is fixed to the carriage 15 which is tracked for vertical movement on the structure 11.

The scaffold frame section illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 consists of vertically extending corner members 16, which in this instance are made of metal tubing or pipe. The members 16 forming each end of the section may be permanently connected by the horizontal cross bars 17 and 18, and also by the cross-bracing bars 19. When two such end parts are assembled together to form a complete section, they are interconnected by the cross-bracing bars or tubes 21.

The carriage structure 14 consists of the upper and lower horizontal structural members 22 and 23, which may be in the form of channels as illustrated. Corresponding ends of these channels are connected by the end members 24. Also, the frame is shown braced by the vertical structural members 26 and the cross structural members 27.

The vertical structure 11 and its carriage 15 will vary with different types of lifting machines. It is provided with power means, such as a hydraulic ram 28, provided with control means whereby the carriage can be raised or lowered at the will of the operator, or held in one position.

A pair of lifting arms 36 are adapted to extend along the sides of a scaffold frame section and are secured to the carriage structure 14. Each arm (FIGURE 3) can be a structural box beam having its one end secured to the vertical structural member 37, with members 36 and 37 being connected by the brace 38. The attachment to the structure 14 is preferably such that the two lift arms 36 can be adjusted toward or away from each other, to adapt the equipment to various sized scaffold frame sections. Thus, members 41 and 42 are secured to the vertical member 37, and rest upon the channels 22 and 23 of the structure 14. L-shaped retaining brackets 43 and 44 are secured to the members 41 and 42 and extend downwardly along the rear faces of the members 22 and 23. The upper bracket 43 is shown provided with a bolted on retaining tab 46 which extends beneath the channel 22. Thus, the supporting means for each arm 36 is such that the position of the arm relative to the structure 14, can be adjusted in horizontal direction. As power means for this purpose, we have shown a pair of double acting hydraulic rams 47 which are anchored to the upper structural member 22 of the structure 14, and connected to the vertical members 37 by the rods 48.

It will be noted that the lift arms 36 are supported by structure 14, cantilever fashion, thus facilitating the positioning of these arms on opposite sides of a scaffold section.

Each of the arms 36 is provided with lifting latches 51 that are movable between section-engaging and out-of-theway positions, as shown in dotted and solid lines in FIG- URE 4. Preferably, the latches are secured to the ends of a shaft 52, which is journalled on arm 36. While the shaft 52 can be turned manually, preferably power means is provided, such as the double acting hydraulic ram 53. The operating member of this ram is shown connected to a lever 54 that is secured to shaft 52. Each latch 51 is shown provided with a notch 56, which is adapted to engage a horizontal member 17 f the scaffold frame section.

It will be evident from FIGURES 3 and 4 that when the latches 51 are swung down to the lower positions shown in FIGURE 4, the latches are then in a position to engage the cross-brace 17, when the arm 36 is elevated, assuming that the latches for both the arms 36 are in their engaged positions, such elevation serves to lift the entire scaffold frame section at points near the corner members 16. When a plurality of sections are being coupled together, a first section is elevated to a sufficient height to permit a second section to be placed below the first, after which the first section is lowered to couple it to the second section. Then the second section is engaged by the lift arms and elevated to permit application of a third section.

The coupling of scaffold sections together can be carried out by suitable coupling devices adapted to couple the adjacent ends of corner members 16. For example, one can use a standard coupling device of the socket type or a standard pin type coupling as shown in FIGURE 5. In this instance, a double-ended pin 61 extends into the adjacent ends of corner members 16, and is provided with a separating collar 62. In place of such separate couplers, one end of each corner member may have a built-in socket or pin type coupler.

In some instances it is desirable to assemble the frame sections and then position them in operative relation to arms 36. In another instance, it is desirable to provide a template means upon which the sections can be erected. It is preferable to provide template means which instead of being separately supported on the ground surface, is attached to the vertically extending structure 11. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 3, a beam 66 is attac ed to the 4 lower ends of the structure 11 and extends horizontally as shown in FIGURE 2. Box-like retainers 67 slidably embrace the beam 22, and serve to support the horizontally extending arms 68. Template members 69 are carried by the arms 68, and preferably are movable between normal and out-of-the-way positions. As shown in FIGURE 6, each template member 69 can be in the form of an angle having a pivotal connection 71 with the associated arm 68. A socket or coupling pin 72 is secured to each angle member 69 and normally extends in vertical position to receive the lower end of a corner member 16. Each member 69 can be swung to an out-of-the-way position as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6, when not in use.

FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrate the template members 69 in their normal positions, with the four corner members 16 seated upon the same. For scaffold sections of different sizes, the horizontal spacing between the arms 68 will be adjusted so that the centers of the template pins 72 are properly spaced. The corner members are normally first seated upon the template members 69, after which the crossbracing 21 is applied.

Because the template means is attached to the vertically extending structure 11, it can remain stationary while the lifting arms 36 are being elevated to lift a scaflold section the requisite height, before another section is erected.

Referring to the various operating phases illustrated in FIGURES 7A-7D, FIGURE 7A shows a frame section assembled upon the template means 68, with the lift arms 36 being disposed on opposite sides of the section. The operator causes the latches 51 to be swung to their section-engaging positions and elevates the arms 36. This carries the scaffold section upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 7B. The upper section is now held in this position, while a second lower section is assembled upon the template means 68 in the manner shown in FIGURE 70. The upper section is now lowered and coupled to the upper end of the lower section, as shown in FIGURE 7D, after which the latches 51 are swung to their out-of-theway positions and the arms 36 lowered in position to engage the last assembled scaffold section. Then the latches are again moved to their section engaging positions and the arms 36 raised to elevate the second section, whereby a third section can be erected as shown in FIG- URE 7E. Thus, a plurality of sections can be assembled from the bottom of the scaffold, until the required height has been obtained. At that time, and assuming that the sections have been erected upon the template means attached to the structure 11, the entire assembled scaffold can be raised from the ground by raising of structure 11, after which by manipulation of the mobile unit 10, the scaffold can be moved to the location where desired and then lowered to its final position. At this time the lower scaffold section may be provided with separate footing by first raising the scaffold by engaging the bottom section with arms 36, moving arms 68 outwardly and away from the adjacent section, or by swinging each of the members 69 to an out-of-the-way position as shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 6, and then lowering the scaffold on a foundation or suitable footing.

In addition to facilitating scaffold assembly operations it will be evident that the same equipment can be used to disassemble a scaffold. In this connection the scaffold may first be moved to a more convenient location after which by successive lifting and lowering operations the sections are successively uncoupled and removed.

It will be evident that the invention greatly facilitates scaffold erecting operations. The cantilever lift arms 36 do not interfere with the necessary operations for assembling each section. The sections are supported in a positive manner as they are being lifted, thus maintaining several assembled sections in vertical alignment and without side sway. Because of their cantilevered nature, the lift arms 36 with their latches 51. in their out-of-the-way positions can be readily moved into and out of operating relationship with the scaffold section.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the structure 11 and the template means are elevated when it is desired to raise and move an assembled group of scaffold sections, whereby the lower template means is engaged with the bottom scaffold section. With simpler equipment, where it is not desired to use template means forming a part of the machine, the structure 11 may not be vertically movable. In such an event, one relies upon the vertical movement of the structure 14 and the lift arms 36 for scaffold section elevating and lowering operations or for moving an assembled scaffold from one location to another.

We claim:

1. In combination with a mobile unit having a vertically movable carriage and power means for raising and lowering the carriage, of equipment for erecting scaffolding of the type comprising separate frame sections each having vertical corner members together with laterally extending members connecting the corner members, the lower ends of the corner members being adapted to be coupled to the upper ends of the corner members of an underlying section, the equipment including a structure secured to the carriage, a pair of spaced horizontally extending arms secured to the structure cantilever fashion, and at least two spaced lifting latches mounted on each arm. for movement between out-of-the-way and section engaging positions, said arms being adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a scaffold section to engage and elevate the same to facilitate positioning another frame section below the first section.

2. Equipment as in claim 1 in which said arms are horizontally adjustable with respect to said structure.

3. Equipment as in claim 1 togeher with power means for moving the latches between section engaging and outof-the-way positions.

4. Equipment as in claim 1 together with template means upon which scaffold sections can be assembled.

5. In combination with a mobile unit having a vertically movable carriage and power means for raising and lowering the carriage, of equipment for erecting scaffolds of a type comprising separate scaffold frame sections each having corner members together with laterally extending members connecting the corner members, the lower ends of the corner members of each section being adapted to be coupled to the upper ends of the corner members of an underlying section, a rigid structure secured to the carriage, a pair of spaced horizontally extending arms adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of a scaffold section, means for securing the arms cantilever fashion to the structure, said means permitting adjustment of the spacing between the arms, at least two horizontally spaced lifting latches associated with each arm, a shaft journalled on each arm to which the latches are secured, rotation of the shafts serving to move the latches to sectionengaging or out-of-the-way positions of the same, the latches in section-engaging position extending toward an adjacent section between the arms.

6. Equipment as in claim 5 together with power means for turning the shafts to move the latches between sectionengaging and out-of-the-way positions.

7. Equipment as in claim 5 together with template means adapted to be disposed generally below the arms, said template means being engageable by parts of a scaffold section to locate and facilitate assembly of the same.

8. Equipment as in claim 7 in which the mobile unit has a vertically extending structure serving to track the carriage, the template means being secured to the lower end of said vertically extending structure.

9. Equipment as in claim 8 in which the template means includes spaced arms adjustably secured to the lower end of the vertically extending structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,820,561 1/1958 Meagher 18263 2,857,994 10/1958 Sheard 182-478 3,185,265 5/1965 White 52-122 3,250,401 5/1966 Davidson 52-123 3,379,281 4/1968 Calletti 182-63 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 182-2, 178 

